Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 8, 2026
08:42
Assessment of Social Cognition in Non-human Primates Using a Network of Computerized Automated Learning Device ALDM Test Systems
Published on: May 5, 2015
12.6K
Social Policy and Cognitive Enhancement: Lessons from Chess
Emilian Mihailov1, Julian Savulescu2
11Research Centre in Applied Ethics, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei no. 204, 060024 Bucharest, Romania.
Neuroethics
|June 26, 2018
Summary
Pharmacological cognitive enhancers may not significantly impact performance in complex activities like chess. Overly strict regulations risk fostering undue suspicion and blame in education and professions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Sports Ethics
Background:
- The rise of pharmacological cognitive enhancers prompts debate about their use in demanding activities.
- Concerns exist regarding potential doping and unfair advantages in fields like chess and academia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the justification for banning cognitive enhancers based on current evidence.
- To explore the complexities of cognitive performance and its transferability in specific domains, using chess as a case study.
- To inform regulatory approaches for cognitive enhancers in education and professional settings.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of existing research on cognitive enhancement and psychometric testing.
- Comparative examination of cognitive versus physical performance, drawing parallels and distinctions.
- Case study analysis of chess as a cognitively demanding activity.
Main Results:
- Enhanced cognitive functioning in psychometric tests does not automatically translate to superior performance in complex skills like chess.
- Cognitive expertise is multifaceted and not solely dependent on basic cognitive subprocesses.
- The analogy between physical and cognitive enhancement is potentially misleading due to the less mechanical nature of cognitive tasks.
Conclusions:
- Premature regulation of cognitive enhancers may be unwarranted and could create a culture of suspicion.
- A nuanced understanding of cognitive performance is crucial for developing appropriate policies.
- Lessons from chess suggest a cautious approach to regulating cognitive enhancers in broader societal contexts.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Causes of Social Behavior II: Cognitive Processes
210
Cognitive processes affect social behavior by guiding how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to social stimuli. These mental processes enable individuals to assess others' behaviors, attribute causes to their actions, and form expectations based on past experiences.Causes of Behavior and Social JudgmentsIndividuals determine the causes of others' behaviors by distinguishing between personal traits and external circumstances. For example, if a friend frequently arrives late, an...
210
01:41Social Traps
26.9K
Social traps are negative situations where people get caught in a direction or relationship that later proves to be unpleasant, with no easy way to back out of or avoid. The concept was orignally introduced by John Platt who applied psychology to Garrett Hardin's "Tragedy of the Commons", where in New England herd owners could let their cattle graze in the common ground. This situation seems like a good idea, but an individual could have an advantage. If they owned...
26.9K
01:30Social Cognitive Perspective on Personality
1.0K
Social cognitive perspectives on personality emphasize the importance of conscious awareness, beliefs, expectations, and goals in shaping behavior. These perspectives incorporate behaviorist principles, such as learning through reinforcement and conditioning, but extend beyond them by highlighting human reasoning and planning. Unlike traditional behaviorist views, social cognitive theory focuses on how individuals reflect on their past experiences and plan for future outcomes by considering...
1.0K
02:57The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
56.1K
According to Charles Cooley, we base our image on what we think other people see (Cooley 1902). We imagine how we must appear to others, then react to this speculation. We don certain clothes, prepare our hair in a particular manner, wear makeup, use cologne, and the like—all with the notion that our presentation of ourselves is going to affect how others perceive us. We expect a certain reaction, and, if lucky, we get the one we desire and feel good about it. But more than that, Cooley...
56.1K
01:04Social Facilitation
36.6K
Not all intergroup interactions lead to negative outcomes. Sometimes, being in a group situation can improve performance. Social facilitation occurs when an individual performs better when an audience is watching than when the individual performs the behavior alone. This typically occurs when people are performing a task for which they are skilled.
36.6K
00:52Social Proof
32.4K
Social proof is a form of persuasion based on comparison and conformity. People compare their behavior and actions to what others are doing and will change to conform to do what their peers do.
32.4K